Chapter 12
As the light in the apartment faded, Rebekah switched on a lamp, savoring the rare quiet.
The Forrester mansion had always been a chaotic place. Shawn was willful and mischievous, always throwing a tantrum when it was time for homework or chores. Benjamin had always assumed that staying home with their son was a form of rest for her. He had no idea she never had a moment of peace.
Listening to the ticking of the wall clock, a storm of emotions welled up inside her, and she felt the urge to cry.
*Ring p>
The harsh sound of her phone shattered the silence. It was Benjamin.
Without a second thought, she declined the call. But he immediately called back, the incessant ringing grating on her nerves. She finally answered.
Benjamin’s cold voice came through the line. “Rebekah, it’s late. Why aren’t you home? Where have you been p>
His voice was tight with suppressed anger, yet he was trying to act as if nothing was wrong.
Rebekah let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. This was how all their fights went. He would give her the silent treatment for a couple of days, then pretend nothing had happened, smoothing over the cracks in their relationship.
“Benjamin, we’re getting a divorce. Have you forgotten?” she asked, her voice cool and distant.
Benjamin’s face darkened. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. “Rebekah, are you going to start this again? Do you really think these games are amusing p>
“Games?” Rebekah scoffed. “How much clearer do I have to be? I want a divorce. I’ll see you at city hall p>
In the background, she could hear Shawn’s childish voice. “Why are you even trying to reason with her, Dad? She’s just being difficult. The more you humor her, the worse she gets. I think it’s better if she doesn’t come back p>
Shawn’s voice was filled with indignation. “I don’t want her anyway p>
Rebekah felt a sharp sting in her heart. She curled her fingers into a fist and lowered her gaze. “I’m not coming back. I’ll have the divorce
pers drawn up in the next few days p>
She hung up before he could respond. She didn’t dare to think too much. She lay down on the bed, hoping sleep would come quickly.
On the other end of the line, Benjamin’s frown deepened. He hurled his phone
against the wall. It shattered on impact, the pieces scattering across the floor.
Rebekah had always been submissive. The few times she had thrown a fit, a few comforting words were all it took to calm her down.
And now she was staying out all night. She was getting bold.
He sank onto the sofa and let out a long, frustrated sigh. He had spoited her that was the problem. He’d like to see how she survived in the city with no money.
And yet, there was an empty feeling in his chest.
Shawn watched his father’s outburst, then slowly asked, “Dad, is she really not coming back p>
Mom loved him so much. How could she not come back? But the memory of her cold voice on the phone sent a wave of panic through him.
Benjamin stroked his son’s head, a grim smile forming on his lips. “Of course not. She can’t survive without us. She can’t survive in this city p>
He shifted uncomfortably. The house felt strangely empty without her. When she was in prison for three months, it hadn’t felt this empty. This time, she had been for less than a day, and he already felt like something was missing.
Benjamin frowned. He must be losing his mind.
The next morning, Rebekah was woken by a knock on the door. She opened it, her hair a mess, to find Jensen standing there with a smile in his eyes.
He grinned, and before she could invite him in, he slipped through the opening.